Staff Reporter

ZANU PF Secretary for Legal Affairs in the Politburo, Cde Patrick Chinamasa, has revealed that President Mnangagwa has firmly ruled out any extension of his presidency beyond 2028.

Despite mounting pressure from within the ruling party, President Mnangagwa has confided in Chinamasa, stating emphatically that he will not seek to extend his term of office.
Speaking at ZANU PF’s 21st National People’s Conference at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds yesterday, Cde Chinamsa shared the details of his multiple consultations with the President.
“I was granted a meeting in August, where I raised the issue, and to find out what his position is. I was given an answer, but I was not satisfied,” Cde Chinamasa told the conference delegates.
Despite repeated consultations in August, September, and as recently as last week, Cde Chinamsa said that President Mnangagwa maintained his stance, insisting, "When 2028 comes, he will not serve beyond that date."
The revelation comes against a backdrop of overwhelming support from ZANU PF members to extend the President’s term to 2030.
During the conference, delegates from all ten provinces and thematic committees unanimously endorsed a resolution directing the government to pursue constitutional amendments to clear the path for President Mnangagwa to continue in office beyond 2028.
“I will read the resolution which all provinces asked and which was also supported by the thematic committees which sat yesterday (Friday) and today (Saturday) and this is the resolution: That the President and First Secretary of ZANU PF, His Excellency Cde ED Mnangagwa’s term of office, as President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and First Secretary of ZANU PF, be extended beyond 2028 to 2030,” Cde Chinamasa announced to loud cheers from the delegates.
According to Cde Chinamsa,the proposed extension was motivated by the desire for President Mnangagwa to fulfil his Vision 2030, which the Party credits for spearheading transformative developmental achievements across the country.
“The motivation is that these achievements should continue,” said Chinamasa, referencing the unprecedented progress made under President Mnangagwa's leadership.
Cde Chinamasa affirmed that it was legally possible to extend the President’s term, noting, “To achieve it, we would need two separate constitutional amendments. One amendment to remove the presidential term that is fixed in the Constitution. The next amendment should be to remove the disability that the Constitution places on His Excellency to serve beyond 2028.”
Meanwhile, in his closing remarks at the conference, President Mnangagwa confirmed Cde Chinamasa's words, stating that he will not seek another term of office beyond 2028.
He emphasized that he is a constitutionalist and would not violate a constitution he helped to craft, reaffirming his commitment to upholding the country's legal framework.